It’s been over two years since government committed to looking at establishing anti-scab legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador, but no action has been taken to deal with this situation. Meanwhile, striking workers continue to watch replacement workers take their jobs, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.

Jones was in Happy Valley-Goose Bay earlier today and met with union officials and striking Voisey’s Bay workers. Many of those affected feel replacement workers should not be used during strikes and their presence only escalates an already tense situation.

 “It has been over two years since government committed to reviewing the legislation, yet we have heard nothing,” said Ms. Jones.  This is a trend with this government, they initiate reviews and studies to calm public sentiment and hope the issue passes. While the last Voisey’s Bay strike was rectified before any decisions were made to prevent replacement workers, we are back in the same situation two years later. The time has come for government to be up front with striking workers and clearly state whether this legislation is a priority in the upcoming session of the House of Assembly.”

During the spring 2007 session of the House of Assembly, Jones challenged government to move forward with anti-scab legislation to protect the jobs of striking workers. During the last Voisey’s Bay strike in 2007, Ministers John Hickey and Shawn Skinner stated they were reviewing existing policies to determine whether anti-scab legislation would be established in this province. At the time, government would only state that they were pondering such action and a decision would be made at a later date.

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